Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, who is in New York from 21 September to 1 October 2008 to attend the 63rd session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, attended the High-Level Event on the Millennium Development Goals as well as the ASEAN-GCC Ministerial Meeting on 25 September 2008. In addition, he met with UN Under-Secretary General and Special Advisor to the Secretary General Professor Ibrahim Gambari and counterparts from Botswana, Finland, Iceland, Iraq, Portugal, Syria and Yemen.
During Minister Yeo's meeting with Prof Gambari, they exchanged views on developments in Myanmar.
Minister Yeo and Botswana Foreign Minister Phandu Tombola Chaka Skelemani had a wide-ranging discussion on the latest developments in Africa.
Minister Yeo briefed Foreign Minister of Finland Alexander Stubb on ASEAN's integration efforts. They also discussed recent developments in Europe.
Minister Yeo and Iceland Foreign Minister Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir agreed that the bilateral relationship between the two countries was extremely good. They also discussed possible new areas of cooperation between the two countries. They exchanged views on Kosovo and Georgia. Minister Yeo shared his positive impressions of Iceland, and Minister Gisladottir briefed Minister Yeo on the economic situation in Iceland.
Minister Yeo met with Foreign Minister of Iraq Hoshyar Zebari. Minister Zebari briefed Minister Yeo on the recent progress in Iraq. They agreed to further increase bilateral cooperation. Minister Yeo encouraged Minister Zebari to visit the region to promote business opportunities in Iraq to overseas investors.
Minister Yeo and Foreign Minister of Portugal Luis Amado expressed the wish to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation. They also discussed developments in their respective regions and the global financial crisis.
Minister Yeo met with Syria Foreign Minister Walid Moualem. Both sides expressed a desire to expand economic cooperation. They also had a good exchange of views on the importance of education and economic development, the global financial crisis, and the situations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Minister Yeo and Yemen Foreign Minister Dr Abu Bakr Abdallah Al-Qirbi noted the historical links between the two countries and expressed the wish to increase bilateral cooperation. Minister Al-Qirbi also briefed Minister Yeo on the latest developments in Yemen.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
26 SEPTEMBER 2008